03/10/2023 - Permalink

Final recommendations of Local Government Boundary Commission welcomed

Related topics: Corporate / Democracy

Shropshire Council has welcomed the final recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) consultation that proposes new boundaries for electoral divisions in the council area. The LGBCE report has been published today (3 October 2023).

The LGBCE has reviewed Shropshire to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively.

A consultation into its draft proposals ran from May to July 2023. The council’s consultation response was prepared by Shropshire Council officers, through consultation with, and feedback from, current elected councillors. This has been managed through a cross-party working group and consultation with councillors through party leaders.

This response had the support of the Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Labour, Independent and Green political groups.

The Commission has published its final recommendations for changes in Shropshire and the council is pleased that the LGBCE has taken notice of the many points that the cross-party Council Submission raised in its response to the consultation, particularly the need for a single-member division for Bayston Hill, and for a two-member division for Wem.

The LBGCE’s final recommendations say that residents should be represented by 74 councillors. This is the same as under current arrangements. There will be 70 single-councillor divisions and two two-councillor divisions.

Other changes to the draft proposals following the consultation are:

  • Proposing an exceptional variance for a single-councillor Bayston Hill division, in response to very strong evidence of community identity.
  • Reverting to a two-councillor division for Wem and surrounding areas, based on evidence that the draft recommendations did not reflect community identity.

The Commission has made further changes to its earlier proposals. Details can be found on its website at www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/shropshire.

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them with new arrangements in place for the Shropshire Council elections in May 2025.

Further information

The  consultation relates to arrangements for local government elections. It is separate from the review of parliamentary constituencies that has recently concluded.

An interactive map is available at www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/shropshire

For further information contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press@lgbce.org.uk

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:

  • Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors
  • Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities
  • Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstance